Media Planner / Buyer

SPARK is looking for a Media Buyer who is passionate about media. You are able to place media buys across all digital and social platforms and manage digital ad operations. You have experience with Google Analytics, SEM, and paid social. Additionally, you have experience buying OOH and other traditional channels. You are passionate about driving results and consistently improving media campaigns. You thrive in a fast-paced environment managing diverse projects and are eager to learn and grow in your craft.

The Role:

Media Planning

• Collaborate with strategists and account teams to develop media plans that align with client objectives, target audiences, and budgets.
• Research and analyze audience behavior, market trends, and competitive activity to inform media placement strategies.
• Evaluate media channels and platforms, recommending the best mix to achieve campaign goals.

Media Buying & Negotiation

• Negotiate with media vendors to secure optimal rates, placements, and added-value opportunities.
• Purchase media space across digital, print, broadcast, social, and other channels, ensuring all buys align with campaign strategies.
• Maintain strong relationships with media vendors to stay informed about opportunities and secure favorable terms.

Ad Operations

• Set up media plans in Sizmek, other ad servers, or publisher platforms
• Maintain data sources and establish naming conventions to ensure databases are accurate and reflective of how data will be reported
• Work with the creative and operations teams to ensure ads are built to correct specifications, adhere to IAB standards, and will effectively engage the target audiences
• Traffic media assets to vendors and resolve any technical issues with the creative team
• Work with third-party ad servers and internal creative team to develop rich media, dynamic, and interactive ad units

Campaign Execution and Management

• Implement digital media campaigns across paid social media channels and GDN/DSPs
• Place and actively manage search engine marketing campaigns on Google, Yahoo, and Bing
• Place traditional media across print, out-of-home, radio, TV, experiential, and sponsorships
• Work with the social media team to apply organic social learnings to paid social campaigns
• Provide keyword research for SEM and SEO
• Monitor campaign performance, optimizing placements and spending based on real-time data and insights.
• Manage budgets, ensuring that all media expenditures stay within approved limits and deliver a strong return on investment.
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure timely delivery of creative assets and accurate execution of media buys.

Analytics & Reporting

• Track and analyze campaign metrics, providing actionable insights to improve performance.
• Create detailed post-campaign reports that highlight successes, learnings, and recommendations for future efforts.
• Use analytics tools to measure the effectiveness of campaigns and inform future media strategies.

Trend Awareness & Innovation

• Stay informed about emerging media trends, platforms, and technologies to keep campaigns fresh and relevant.
• Proactively identify new opportunities to reach target audiences and improve campaign efficiency.

Soft Skills Required

• Analytical Thinking: Strong ability to interpret data and translate it into actionable media strategies.
• Negotiation Skills: Confident and persuasive in securing favorable rates and terms from media vendors.
• Detail-Oriented: Highly organized, ensuring that budgets, schedules, and campaign details are executed flawlessly.
• Collaboration: Works seamlessly with account teams, strategists, and creatives to ensure cohesive campaign execution.
• Communication: Clear and effective in presenting media plans, insights, and results to clients and internal teams.
• Adaptability: Thrives in fast-paced environments, adjusting strategies and plans as needed to optimize outcomes.
• Problem-Solving: Resourceful in addressing challenges, whether optimizing underperforming campaigns or finding creative solutions for tight budgets.

Experience & Qualities:

• 3-7 years of media experience preferably in an agency environment
• Experience with PPC, analytics, paid social, and ad servers
• Experience with traditional media buying
• Experience with marketing automation tools, highly preferred
• Strong organizational skills
• High attention to detail are essential
• Excellent communication skills.
• Positive and upbeat personality with a strong willingness to learn